The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Dear Sir I have recd. several letters from you
which not requiring special answers, I now beg
leave to acknowledge in the lump. I have delayed
it in the hope that I might add something on our
thing at present of this character it will be found
in the inclosed paper from N. York. We have no
late official information from Europe; but all that we
see from G. B. indicates an adherence to her mad
policy towards the U. S. The Newspapers give you
a sufficient insight into the measures of Congress.
With a view to enable the Executive to step at once
into Canada they have provided after two months
delay, for a regular force[44] requiring 12 to raise it,
and after 3 months for a volunteer force, on terms
not likely to raise it at all for that object. The
mixture of good & bad, avowed & disguised motives
accounting for these things is curious eno' but not
to be explained in the compass of a letter. Among
other jobbs on my hands is the case of Wilkinson.[45]
paper. The minutes of the Court, oral written &
printed testimony, are all in proportion. A month
has not yet carried me thro' the whole.
We have had of late a hard winter & much Ice
which still lies on the water in view. The reiteration
of Earthquakes continues to be reported from various
quarters. They have slightly reached the State of
N. Y. and been severely felt W. and S. Westwardly.
There was one here this morning at 5 or 6 minutes
after 4 o'C. It was rather stronger than any preceding
one, & lasted several minutes; with sensible
tho' very slight repetitions throughout the succeeding
hour.
Be assured of my best affections.
The act of January 11th provided for raising immediately ten regiments
of infantry, two of artillery and one of light dragoons for five
years unless sooner discharged. The act of February 6th authorized the
President to accept volunteers to the number of 50,000, to do duty
whenever he should deem proper and to be bound to remain in the
service for twelve months after arriving at a rendezvous. They were
to retain their own officers and receive the same pay and allowances
as regular troops.—Annals of Cong. 12th Cong., Part 2, 2230 et seq.
James Wilkinson was Senior Brigadier-General in the army. He
was tried by court-martial September 2d to December 25th on eight
charges—being a pensioner of Spain, treasonable projects for the dismemberment
of the United States, conspiracy with Aaron Burr, connivance
at treasonable designs, conspiracy against a friendly nation,
disobedience of orders, neglect of duty, misapplication and waste of
public funds. His acquittal was because there was not sufficient evidence
to convict. February 14th, Madison approved the finding with
this memorandum:
"I have examined and considered the foregoing proceedings of the
General Court Martial, held at Fredericktown, for the trial of Brigadier
General Wilkinson—and although I have observed in those proceedings,
with regret, that there are instances in the conduct of the court
as well as of the officer on trial, which are evidently and justly objectionable,
his acquittal of the several charges, exhibited against him, is
approved and his sword is accordingly ordered to be restored."—Annals
of Congress, 12th Cong., Part 2, p. 2125.
| The writings of James Madison, | |